After lunch we took advantage of a spell of sunshine and drove into the forest.
At the Roger Penny Way end of Cadnam Lane
we stopped to converse with the pair of Gloucester Old Spots we often see there; and a robin that we don’t.
Reflections rippled over the stream spanned by the road bridge.
Jackie’s photographs are the last two in this woodland gallery incorporating a large decaying stump.
Further along ponies chomped on hay against the backdrop of a sheep field.
The ford fence that I had reported in a state of collapse on a recent visit has now been repaired; a trio of sows and a solitary pony will now be safe to cross.
On the lane to Bramshaw we kept meeting and passing a friendly equestrienne until I finally called out of the window “We’ll leave you alone now.”
This afternoon’s Six Nations rugby match between Scotland and Wales failed to record, so later I watched the game between France and Ireland.
We then dined on Jackie’s wholesome chicken and vegetable stewp with fresh crusty bread.
At this time of the year, the trees have no leaves, and seeing wood in varying stages of both life and decay, I’m led to see how “long lived” the New Forest is…
Many centuries, Catherine. Thanks a lot
The old stumps make for excellent designs.
And – you KNOW I loved the ponies – the pigs are kinda cute as well.
The pigs seem to have longer hair than most.
That’s what I noticed too. They look like fat Dalmatians.
I do, GP. Thanks very much
I especially enjoy the woodland gallery. Thank you to both photographers.
Much appreciated by us both, Anne
A fine set of pictures today. I missed the Scotland game too, but on purpose. I enjoyed the French game a lot.
I watched the Scotland game on iPlayer this morning. One of the best.
I do love that arched bridge over the water!
My favourite, too, Liz. Thanks a lot
Serene surroundings
Thanks very much, sweetspontaneous
Lovely. Love those spotty pigs!
Thanks very much, Cindy
How many rings does a pig need in his nose?
I love old tree stumps especially huge twisted decayed ones. They have a story to tell – if they could talk.
Too many, Chrissy. That particular stump has been there for many years. Thank you very much.
The ripples under the arch photo is beautiful. I also liked the woodland photos by you both, but Jackie captured the creature look of that giant stump. I wouldn’t want to be near it at night. Those cute little pigs should stay away from it.
I laughed at the “robin that we don’t.”
Thank you so much for all these comments – from us both, Merril
You’re both very welcome.
Perfect pretty pony -n- plucky piggy photos! 🙂 That one piggy has a lot of rings! 😮
Love seeing the robin! 🙂
All of these photos are beautiful, Jackie and Derrick! They bring light, smiles, and joy to my cold winter day. 🙂
I always love your forest photos…stumps, trees, light and shadows, reflections, etc! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you so much from us both, Carolyn X
An especially great set of photos today, Derrick. I love the polka dot pigs! 💞
Thank you so much, AnneMarie
I was fascinated by your’s and Jackie’s photos of the woodland area and the decaying stump
Thanks very much from us both, Ivor
The porkers are adorable. Nice day for a ride in the country.
Thank you very much, Pat
I love the spotted pigs! Lovely outing today, Derrick. My Derek is making chicken stew tonight. We need some crusty bread 🥖 yummy!
Thanks a lot, Jill
It’s good you are resilient when technology fails, Derrick. Always another game on, even if it’s different teams!
Thanks a lot, Barbara
A beautiful sunny day ⛅️
Thank you very much, Ribana
The fallen logs with moss and the decaying stump look like works of art. Come to think of it, they ARE works of art as you and Jackie have photographed them. That is true of many natural wonders of your world.
Thank you so much from us both, JoAnna
I’ve never seen ‘Old Spots’, only ordinary hogs. Dinner sounds delicious. Nice photos, as usual.
Thanks a lot, Steve
What’s around the pig’s snout? It looks like metal rings, which I hope it isn’t.
Unfortunately it is. These are rings to prevent deep churning of the terrain. Thanks very much, Bridget
It’s such a cruel thing, preventing the pig from being a pig. It was already considered animal cruelty when I was young.
I completely forgot about the rugby. Pants……
Just watched Scotland/Wales on BBC iPlayer. I recommend it, Gary.
You have been capturing New Forest in body and spirit. The intricate life cycle of smaller parts of the woodland emerge in vivid details in these photographic tours, revealing the regenerative and miraculous processes of Nature. The inhabitants and roamers find their due representations. Jackie has merrily joined force in these expeditions.
Thank you so much, Uma – from us both
Those horses are so pretty! And that is some stump.
Thanks very much, Laurie
I noticed the nose rings in the pig’s snout. How common is that in England? In Australia the RSPCA is trying to have the practice banned.
I’ve not seen it before, but it is very common in our area, John. Thanks very much
Those trees look like sculptures and such cute Gloucester Old Spots.
Thanks very much, Sheree
‘Woodland with decaying stump’ looks like an animal skull.
Thanks a lot, Andrew
Lovely images.
Thank you very much, Rupali
The large decaying stump is a very striking shape.
Thank you very much, John.
What great captures if the fairest piggies! You have really brought this part of England to life over the years Derrick. I am now considering returning to the UK and this area looks so lovely.
We’d be happy to show you around, Val
That’s very kind Derrick! It may be awhile off! On the other hand, if Trump gets elected again I’ll be right over 🤣
In that case I hope it will be awhile off.
Indeed❣️
Thanks very much
I love the photo of the arch bridge. The decaying stump is interesting and during our travels to mountain towns, we’ve seen tree stumps salvaged and coated with some sort of product and used as a sitting stool.
Here in the forest they are allowed to disintegrate and feed the ecology
Thanks very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I enjoy these forest drive scenes, Derrick and Jackie! Thanks for including my favorite Gloucester Old Spots today. 🙂
I thought we owed it to you to name them, Lavinia. Thanks very much from us both
Let’s see. Pig names for the Glocester Old Spots? I will think on that and get back to you! They appear to be both girls as best I can tell from the photos.
They are, I think 🙂
How about Hattie and Hortense?
Done. I won’t ask which is which 🙂
I suppose they both have nose rings? 🙂
🙂
I know the feeling. After 15 months of lockdown, I decided to embrace my gray hairs. Like you, I’m happy with my decision 🙂
Hello Derrick, kindly ignore this comment meant for another blog. WordPress has gone crazy!!!
You are not crazy. I noted a problem with the WordPress reader yesterday when trying to reply. When I hit the “reply” button and start typing in the box, WP will try to redirect me somewhere when I hit the “k” key when typing. I think some kind of malware has been injected into WP code. I can get around it by typing my reply into a text editor, then cutting and pasting it into the reply box. That works, so far.
What a pain
Here is the problem ticket I opened, and their response:
https://wordpress.com/forums/topic/wordpress-reader-34
Thank you for this – at least it was a response
Thanks, Rosaliene. We have to be very vigilant these days
Good to know, anyway, Rosaliene 🙂
I love that “pair of Gloucester Old Spots” – they’re so fluffy!! They’re eating the chestnuts that are poisonous for the horses?? Is that right?
It is acorns that are poisonous to horses – and there has been a dearth of them this year. These particular sows are often found at that corner – perhaps they live in the nearby yard. Thanks very much, Jan
Looks like a beautiful outing in the sunshine.
It was. Thanks a lot, Mrs W
Your welcome.
Marvelous reflection photos, Derrick.
Thank you very much. Dolly
You are most welcome, Derrick.
I liked the winter coats on the old spots. And the photo of the horse and rider coming at you down the lane is captivating. As ever, all the woodland shots are lovely.
Thank you very much, Lisa
Initially, I had difficulties making a comment on this post, so I gave up, I intended to open later on a different device, but then moved on to your next post.
My iPad does not seem to be communicating very well with WordPress since the last Apple update.
Lovely to see the pigs having a wander, I had thought it was just in the autumn when they went walk about.
Those woodland images are really lovely, Derrick.
Normally it is only at pannage time that we see them, except for those on this little corner. Thank you very much, Sue